Easy Arugula and Pear Salad Recipe
If you think salads are boring, you haven’t tried this one! It’s got so many layers of flavor and textures including arugula that’s peppery and strong in flavor, along with the sweetness of juicy, ripe pears that are the perfect complementary ingredient to the greens. The pear slices are like golden little bites for me! I made a whisk-together (or you can shake it together) honey Dijon mustard vinaigrette. It’s light yet rich in flavor, doesn’t weigh down the delicate greens, doesn’t drown out or dominate the lusciousness of the delicate pears, and it’s the perfect 30-second homemade vinaigrette. Whether you’re serving this as a side salad for weeknight dinners with your immediate family, as a healthy (work) lunch, or you’re adding it to your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner menu as a fresh and lighter option and great for those who are vegetarian and gluten-free, I promise this is a winner.
Ingredients in Pear Arugula Salad
Gather the following simple ingredients for this arugula salad with pears:
For the Salad:
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
For the Honey Dijon Vinaigrette:
Extra virgin olive oil White wine vinegar – you can also sub with champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar which would be the strongest Honey – you can also use maple syrup Dijon mustard – do not sub with yellow mustard, they’re not the same! Possibly a whole grain mustard could work, but Grey Poupon is the gold standard for me Dried thyme – dried oregano may be substituted Salt Pepper
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How To Make an Arugula and Pear Salad
It’s easy to assemble this perfect fall salad by simply placing all the ingredients on a serving platter! Either way, make sure to taste the vinaigrette and make any necessary seasoning adjustments, to taste. I tend to like to add a bit more honey and always more salt. If it’s flat or boring in the least, it likely needs more salt so don’t be afraid to add it. This salad is a slam dunk to put on your Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday menu. With pears at their peak season in the fall and through the winter, it’s an easy way to use a seasonal ingredient and create a fresh yet lighter option – which I find is sorely lacking when it comes to holiday sides! But don’t just think holidays, this is a great little side salad to serve for weeknight dinners or for a light, healthy, and flavorful lunch.
More Easy Salad Recipes:
Fall Harvest Salad with Apples and Pears — Complete with crisp apples, tender juicy pears, pomegranate seeds, nuts, crumbled feta, and a tangy homemade honey maple balsamic vinaigrette! Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch idea, dinner side, or a holiday side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas, this FAST and EASY salad is sure to get rave reviews! Make Ahead: If you want to whisk together or shake together the vinaigrette ahead of time (up to 24-48 hours in advance) and keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge, that’s fine. You can arrange the salad in a serving bowl about 2-3 hours before you plan to serve it BUT you do risk the pears turning brown (a squirt of lemon juice can reduce it but then you’ve got sour on top of nice sweet pears) so I suggest not slicing the pears until right before serving. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Spinach Apple Salad with Cheddar & Cranberries — The flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy spinach salad! There are so many wonderful textures and flavors in every bite you can’t help but like it! Apple, White Cheddar, & Grilled Chicken Salad — All the flavors just POP in this fast, easy, and healthy salad!! The Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette doubles as marinade + salad dressing to save time!! Classic House Salad — An EASY side salad recipe to serve with your favorite entree or alongside the main course! Made with common ingredients that you likely have already, but it’s flexible and adaptable so you can ADD anything else you have on hand! The simple vinaigrette is easy, light, and flavorful but your favorite salad dressing also works. Apple Cranberry Salad with Blue Cheese — All the flavors of fall in one gorgeous, hearty, and healthy salad!! The easy, tart-and-sweet dressing is just bursting with flavor! Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad — A HEARTY salad that celebrates the flavors of fall including roasted Brussels sprouts and dried cranberries along with quinoa, chickpeas, spinach, and goat cheese!! Perfect for lunch, a meatless main, or a HEALTHY side dish on your holiday table!! Chickpea and Sweet Potato Bowl — A big ole round bowl full of goodness just like Buddha!! The bowls are fast, EASY, naturally vegan and gluten-free! If you need a HEALTHY recipe that tastes like comfort food, this is it!! Roasted Sweet Potato Salad — This roasted sweet potato salad is tossed in a honey Dijon dressing. The sweet and savory flavors of this potato salad are to die for! Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potato Harvest Salad – Fall-inspired ingredients including tender sweet potatoes, juicy chicken, red onions, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds topped with a honey apple cider vinaigrette!!
